Filipino-Owned Businesses (Locally and Abroad)

[Bosnyboy]

Originally Posted by jpdm

ayaw na ni Pangilinan sa Pinas kaya sa Vietnam naman...baka sainis sa Ateneo..toinks!

Ayaw kasi ni pnoy kay mvp, lagi si ayala at lopez group ang pinapaboran.

[viola]

Originally Posted by Bosnyboy

Ayaw kasi ni pnoy kay mvp, lagi si ayala at lopez group ang pinapaboran.

Magiging magulo ang kaharian kung dalawa ang reyna.

[viola]

Originally Posted by Bosnyboy

Ayaw kasi ni pnoy kay mvp, lagi si ayala at lopez group ang pinapaboran.

[jpdm]

image hosted on flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8300/8...3b894aa1_o.jpg




VMV Hypoallergenics: Veni, vedi, vicii




MANILA FASHION OBSERVER By Christine Dychiao
| Updated October 09, 2011 12:00 AM

In 2008, re-nowned homegrown brand VMV Hypoallergenics’ sun protection line, Armada, was featured in W magazine. Two years after the Armada feature came out VMV opened a Skin-Specialist Boutique on 868 Broadway in Manhattan.

Months later, it has proved to be a wellspring of rave reviews, not only from the city’s sensitive skin sufferers, but from beauty editors and Hollywood celebrities as well.

In a fickle city where everyone is always on to the next hot thing, VMV has quickly built a solid reputation for its science-based approach to skincare, soothing facials and no-nonsense products that work as promised.

On The Radar spoke with Marie-Julie Weckerlé Ona, Global Markets Manager at VMV Hypoallergenics about venturing into New York, breakthrough allergen-free cosmetics, influential fans, and world domination.

PHILIPPINE STAR: What made you decide to open a flagship store/spa in New York City, and in this economic climate at that?

VMV created Skintelligent Beauty, a line of paraben- and preservative-free makeup that is 100 percent free of irritating waxes, pthalates, parabens, preservatives and all types of fragrances.
MARIE-JULIE WECKERLÉ ONA: Niche/specialty cosmetics are actually where some of the largest growth is happening in cosmetics and skincare. VMV already has 30 years of brand development with clinical legitimacy from so many publications and was, simply put, ready for global expansion.

In order for the brand to be taken seriously, New York City was one of the most important cities to venture into, being a global influencer as well as being in the largest cosmetics market in the world. The brand has roots in New York City and the East Coast, so it was a second home with which we were already very familiar.

While we are working with department stores and specialty concept stores (such as C.O. Bigelow), a flagship store, or VMV Skin-Specialist Boutique as we call them, was always the first goal as our boutiques showcase the brand in its entirety.



The economic climate was, of course, a concern, but it also presented an opportunity. VMV’s flagship is located a block away from Union Square. Such as prime location would’ve been impossible to find just a few years ago.

Tell us more about your Manhattan outpost, what can a newbie discover?

We have a wide product range for men, women and children, from prevention/basic skincare to advanced treatments, to makeup to lifestyle items and facial services.

A VMV Skin-Specialist Boutique also enables us to welcome the consumer into our world: there’s a play are for children while their moms have facial treatments; a putting green where husbands can practice without rushing their girlfriends or wives who are playing with our makeup shades! The interior is warm and friendly, yet scientific and clinical!

Your Manhattan store/spa is barely a year old, and customers are really flocking to it. What are the best sellers?

We have been so lucky at the overwhelmingly positive response since the opening of the VMV Skin-Specialist Boutique in New York.

Our best sellers span across all our product categories, but perennial favorites include Armada Face Cover 30, Grandma Minnie’s The Big, Brave Boo-Boo Balm, Re-Everything Primary Treatment Cream and our new Tarte-à-Tan Bronzing Powder.

During the very harsh New York winter earlier this year, Moisture-Rich Creammmy Moisturizer and Grandma Minnie’s Mommy-Coddling All-Over Lotion and Know-it-Oil flew off the shelves to help soothe dry skin, a common concern during cold weather. I have to say, though, the Boo-Boo Balm has become such a cult hit, even among celebrities.

I have been following a couple of NYC beauty editors like Teen Vogue’s Eva Chen on Twitter, and I couldn’t help but notice the rave reviews on your spa!

This was a really pleasant surprise. We’ve always gotten wonderful responses and support from US beauty editors — they’ve been instrumental to the growing success of VMV internationally. Seeing them tweet and share on their personal accounts how much they love the brand just bowled us over.

VMV’s new line of allergen-free lipsticks are is in color yet free of fragrance, parabens, pthalates, preservatives, even dyes.
Having such key influencers try and fall in love with the products helps spread the word and grow our brand awareness. VMV is the type of brand that needs a lot more explaining and experiencing than your traditional beauty brand. PR has been the strongest marketing tool for us to penetrate new markets and with features in Vogue, Elle, Allure and the like we’ve been able to create some noise. Editors are the most critical consumers as they are exposed to all the information and have to be highly selective about the brands they talk about. We’ve been to those offices and you almost can’t move from the quantity of products that they get! On top of products, editors also regularly seek for the newest facial treatments in town.

VMV has really gone global, with Hollywood stars like Susan Sarandon, Selma Blair and Jennifer Garner becoming fans.

We are beyond ecstatic to hear that some of our favorite Hollywood stars are fans. Just recently, Selma Blair tweeted that VMV’s Grandma Minnie Mom&Baby line was among her must-haves for her newborn son. Such moments definitely make all the hard work worth it.

I learned that VMV came out with Skintelligent Beauty, which is a line of paraben- and preservative-free makeup. What exciting products should we watch out for?

Skintelligent Beauty is all about Dye-Paraben-Phthalate-Irritant-Free Makeup. We’ve actually been doing friendly beauty since the 1980s. In a nutshell, Skintelligent Beauty is so much of what so many of us at VMV, and our customers, want to be—smart, beautiful, and really, really kind.

We have a bunch of product launches lined up. We recently launched one of the most fundamental anchor products: our Skin-The-Bluff Concealer. It blots out blemishes, shushes shadows, disguises discolorations, and downplays dark circles. It comes in light, medium and deep shades that work with all skin tones, plus a discoloration-canceling green and redness-reducing, eye-pepping yellow. It also prevents irritations, acne and darkening. And of course, it’s 100-percent free of irritating waxes, pthalates, parabens, preservatives and all types of fragrances.

You have recently conquered Bangkok by opening counters at Siam Paragon, and will be opening soon in Mexico. How’s the response in the international market?

The response has been wonderful so far. VMV is now available in seven countries, not to mention the ones we serve through our secure online store, including countries like Germany, Spain, South Africa, the Faroe Islands, Norway — even remote ice floes in Norway via special delivery!

I am also working on launching in the E.U. While I can’t reveal much more about it now, it is quite an exciting development and will further put VMV on the international map of the beauty industry!

Marie-Julie Weckerlé Ona, global markets manager for VMV Hypoallergenics
VMV is proof that Filipino companies can be truly world class and can stand out in the global beauty arena. What do you think are the secrets to VMV’s success?

One of VMV’s core values has always been “gumption.” Our dreams are often too big for our britches, but that’s how we’ve achieved some surprising, exceptional feats. Our success is undoubtedly linked to the quality of our research and the products we produce, but also to the people behind the brand; we’ve got the guts, boldness, and perseverance to take on big ideas and make them work.

At VMV, the outlook has been global since the beginning. We have never used our origin as a key message for our brand as we believe that it neither added nor hindered the brand in any way.

Instead, we focused on simply producing kick-ass cosmetics, backing all our claims by objective studies, many of which have been published in medical journals and even awarded in global journals and conventions. Very few brands can say that. Evidence-based science is undeniable and objective, it’s not a marketing fad.

In order to make the hard-core science more approachable, VMV has been able to maintain a very strong branding. The multi-cultural heritage, a mix of Philippines, US and Argentina, is showcased in every little detail from packaging to print materials all the way to the way we communicate about the brand. It’s that global feel that also made VMV easy to introduce to different markets.

Being a funky little niche brand, our international success has been greatly dependent on finding the right partners. We work with people that understand the brand, love the brand and are committed to making it grow without compromising its integrity.

* * *

For more about VMV, visit www.vmvhypoallergenics.com.

Source: http://www2.philstar.com/lifestyle/o...veni-vedi-vici

[Greypilgrim]

Originally Posted by jpdm

image hosted on flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8300/8...3b894aa1_o.jpg




VMV Hypoallergenics: Veni, vedi, vicii




MANILA FASHION OBSERVER By Christine Dychiao
| Updated October 09, 2011 12:00 AM





Source: http://www2.philstar.com/lifestyle/o...veni-vedi-vici

The founder of VMV Hypoallergenics is Dr. Vermén M. Verallo-Rowell , the head of Makati Med's Department of Dermatopathology, right? She's also the author of RX Coconut. She's a staunch supporter of coconut's medicinal properties. VMV has products with monolaurin, from coconut.

[xxxriainxxx]

Originally Posted by jpdm

image hosted on flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8300/8...3b894aa1_o.jpg




VMV Hypoallergenics: Veni, vedi, vicii




MANILA FASHION OBSERVER By Christine Dychiao
| Updated October 09, 2011 12:00 AM





Source: http://www2.philstar.com/lifestyle/o...veni-vedi-vici

Wow nice, they are trying to break in the North American market... I think they can try expanding here in ASEAN and Middle East I think...

[jpdm]

^eto pa sir...

10 quirky finds at the Yabang Pinoy Global Pinoy Bazaar




By Tricia Aquino
Photos by Tricia Aquino and Analy Labor, InterAksyon.com
Sunday, November 11, 2012 · 4:33 pm

There are no limits to the Filipino’s creativity, and shoppers at the Global Pinoy Bazaar at the Rockwell Tent happening November 10 and 11 (Saturday and Sunday) from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., can attest to that. Organized by Filipino pride advocacy group Yabang Pinoy, the yearly shopping event makes one glad to be part of such an ingenious nationality. Aside from finding fun gift ideas, however, customers could take heart in the fact that most of the enterprises support local communities, and provide a lot of marginalized Filipino families with their daily bread.

Definitely not your usual bazaar, here are our Top 10 finds for those looking for something unique and quirky, nice and naughty:


Leather travel tags by aklateklat at the Yabang Pinoy Global Bazaar. Photo by Analy Labor, InterAksyon.com.

1. Tote-a-quote leather travel tags by aklateklat (Php650)
Created by booklover Kalayaan Cabardo who finds in her products “a source of joy,” these travel tags are made of small metal sheets embossed with quotes about reading from great names like Ralph Waldo Emerson. They are then laid out on a strip of leather, and come with a clasp to attach to your bags.


Writer Ali Sangalang and artist Panch Alvarez of Linya-Linya put their best lines on their shirts. Photo by Analy Labor, InterAksyon.com.

2. Witty shirts by Linya-Linya (Php495)
Writer Ali Sangalang and artist Panch Alvarez combined their passion for words and scribbles to create punchlines with accompanying drawings to funny, yet ultimately thoughtful effect. For example, a shirt that reads “Been there, done that. Beer there, bondat,” comes with a stick figure of a grinning man with a beer belly.



At the GK booth, veggie-themed stuffed toys to support the livelihood of a community in Bulacan. Photo by Tricia Aquino, InterAksyon.com.Photo by Tricia Aquino, InterAksyon.com.

3. Fruit and vegetable stuffed toys by Plush n’ Play (Php150 to Php500)
Gawad Kalinga volunteer Fabien Courteille had been immersed in a GK farming community in Bulacan when he thought of an enterprise to allow the women to earn from their sewing skills. Stuffed toys with names like Karlamansi, Jessica Saging, and Manny Pakwan will delight the little ones, as well as help sustain a livelihood that allows their fellow kids in Bulacan to eat and go to school everyday.


Quiddity features "doll journals" at the Yabang Pinoy Global Pinoy Bazaar, November 10 to 11, 2012, at Rockwell Tent in Makati City. Photo by Analy Labor, InterAksyon.com.Photo by Analy Labor, InterAksyon.com.

4. Doll notebooks by Quiddity (Php300 to Php650)
When Genevieve Go, co-owner of Quiddity, travels abroad, she takes bits and pieces back with her—fabric, trim, accents—and turns them into one-of-a-kind notebooks that make you realize you don’t have to leave your playmates behind after puberty. Quiddity journals are filled with personality, each one a unique creation. For the latest line, Go was influenced by her recent trip to Central Europe, France, and the Netherlands, coming up with an “ostentatious, very grand” collection “inspired by royalty.”


Comfortable espadrilles from Habi Footwear, available at the Global Pinoy Yabang Pinoy Bazaar, November 10 to 11, 2012, at Rockwell Tent in Makati City. Analy Labor, InterAksyon.com

5. Shoes by Habi Footwear (Php750 to Php900)
What began as a thesis project is now a successful footwear brand that helps communities in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, to earn more as opposed to when they were simply selling scrap cloth as rags. Pastel-colored Oxfords, flats, and espadrilles can go from school to work, beach to city, and offer both style and comfort.


Beach blankets by Lagu. Photo by Tricia Aquino, InterAksyon.com.

6. Beach-friendly beach blanket by Lagu
“An average beachgoer unintentionally takes 170 grams of sand away from the beach,” reads Lagu’s FAQs. “That’s almost three handfuls of sand!” The colorful linen beach blanket helps keep the sand where it belongs, “dries quickly, and is allergen-free.” This beach-friendly beach blanket allows you to enjoy your trip to the sea in an eco-friendly way. A portion of the cost goes to the preservation of certain beaches, as well.


Handcrafted leather journals from Alunsina Hardbound books. Analy Labor, InterAksyon.com.

7. Leather journals by Alunsina Hardbound Books (Php300 to Php700)
Say goodbye to writer’s block! These gorgeous leather-bound journals with handcrafted, acid-free paper offer a pleasurable writing experience. Plus, they look pretty cool, too. “It began as a hobby. I love collecting journals, but I couldn’t afford the ones in big bookstores because they were so expensive. I studied about making journals online, and then I eventually taught my boyfriend, who is now better at it than I am,” said Nadja Castillo, co-owner of Alunsina Hardbound Books.


Natural soaps by Lotus Blooms. Photo by Analy Labor, InterAksyon.com.

8. Handcrafted soaps by Lotus Bloom (Php180 to Php200)
“We use only plant-based oils like olive oil, ricebran, some with avocado, coconut, and jojoba. These oils are very moisturizing to the skin,” said Joanna Quintana, who owns Lotus Bloom with husband Paolo. “Most of the time we just use any soap we find. We don’t care about the content, if they are harsh to the skin.” When she discovered the “meticulous” art of soapmaking in Marseilles, France, she realized that there were better ways to care for the skin, and in fact, uses Lotus Bloom soap even for her two-year-old.


Baby slings by SaYA. Analy Labor, InterAksyon.com.

9. Baby carrier by SaYa
Carry your baby on your chest, your hip, or your back with this tretchy, knitted sling that prides itself in being the “t-shirt of baby carriers” because of its wearability. It can also be used to cover yourself while breastfeeding. It’s not just for mommies, but daddies too, as it comes in various sizes. A pamphlet allows you to try on different ways to wear the SaYa for optimum comfort both for you and baby.


Drew de los Santos with his "flood-friendly" design, the boatshelf. Photo by Tricia Aquino, InterAksyon.com.

10. Boatshelf by Drew de los Santos (Php19,500 and up)
The Industrial Design student created the Boatshelf for his thesis in the aftermath of Ondoy. “If there are fire extinguishers that are readily available in the market for times of fire, what is there for times of flooding? I don’t think I’ve seen anything on the market yet,” said de los Santos. Upright, the Boatshelf can hold books, household items, and what have you. But when laid down, it can hold, well, you and your family. The Boatshelf is made of marine plywood, and comes with paddles incorporated into the design.

Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/lifestyle...l-pinoy-bazaar

[Monchhichi]

Bench Universe to make Southeast Asian premiere
MANILA, Philippines – The “Bench Universe 2012” fashion show is set to make its Southeast Asian premiere when it airs on the cable channel StarWorld next month.

A replay of the fashion show, which features some of the Philippines’ biggest stars, will be aired at 9 p.m. on December 8.

Some of the celebrities who walked the runway for this year's Bench Universe are Coco Martin, Paulo Avelino, Kim Chiu, Enchong Dee, Jake Cuenca, Manny Pacquiao and wife Jinkee, Richard Gomez and wife Lucy, Kathryn Bernardo, Julia Montes, Shaina Magdayao, Georgina Wilson and Borgy Manotoc.

Aside from items from Bench, the event, held last September, included collections from top local designers such as Cary Santiago, Rajo Laurel, Randy Ortiz, Furne One, Michael Cinco, Ezra Santos, Joey Samson, Val Taguba and Albert Andrada.

StarWorld will also air behind-the-scenes footage of the production, letting viewers get up close with the Bench endorsers.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle...asian-premiere

Jollibee, EEI wins top ASEAN business awards in Cambodia
Jollibee Foods Corp. and construction firm EEI Corp. were cited as outstanding Philippine companies that have contributed to regional economic growth at the ASEAN Business Awards during the 2012 ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The ABA is held annually by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council and recognizes the “most admired ASEAN enterprise” for both large and small and medium enterprises in the categories of growth, innovation, employment, and corporate social responsibility.
Jollibee received the ABA for innovation and EEI for employment.
“We are equally proud of this recognition given to our Philippine companies that are gaining success in the international market. We hope to see, in the future, more of our small enterprises being recognized in ASEAN,” Philippine-ASEAN Business Advisory Council representative Jay Yuvallos said in a statement.
PCCI honorary chairman and Philippine Exporters Confederation president Sergio Ortiz-Luis was the Philippines representative to the ABA panel of judges.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story...usiness-awards

[Landfall]

Originally Posted by jpdm

^eto pa sir...

10 quirky finds at the Yabang Pinoy Global Pinoy Bazaar




By Tricia Aquino
Photos by Tricia Aquino and Analy Labor, InterAksyon.com
Sunday, November 11, 2012 · 4:33 pm



Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/lifestyle...l-pinoy-bazaar

[Monchhichi]

FACE-OFF | Local phone makers slug it out with low-cost Android phones

Long lines and camp-outs have become trademarks of Apple gadget releases in the US and other affluent countries, but in a price-sensitive economy such as the Philippines, low-cost Android phones from local brands are the ones receiving such “royal” treatment from buyers.

In the past several weeks, Filipino mobile phone brands such as MyPhone, Cherry Mobile, and Starmobile have come out with one product release after another, offering gadget-savvy Pinoys looking for the perfect Christmas gift an idea of which new “toy” to give their loved ones–or themselves, for that matter–during the holiday season.

Headlining the stream of new products is Cherry Mobile’s Flare Android smartphone, which already carries the Ice Cream Sandwich version of Google’s mobile operating system on its 4-inch IPS touchscreen display. Flare is powered by a 1.2 GHz dual-core Qualcomm chip, which, going by today’s standards, can already be considered a mid-range processor. It can also support two SIM cards.

Thousands of Filipinos stayed up all night and lined up to be the first ones to own Cherry Mobile’s newest phone, which retails for just P3,999.

But the Flare is just the tip of the iceberg, as Cherry Mobile and other phone brands have already announced upcoming Android phones that deliver quality without breaking the bank.
http://www.interaksyon.com/infotech/...android-phones

[Nabartek]

Naaasiwa pa rin ako sa "local phone" na made in China

[amigo32]

nagpanggap na Pinoy ang China phone
eww yuck

[xxxriainxxx]

Originally Posted by jpdm

^eto pa sir...

10 quirky finds at the Yabang Pinoy Global Pinoy Bazaar




By Tricia Aquino
Photos by Tricia Aquino and Analy Labor, InterAksyon.com
Sunday, November 11, 2012 · 4:33 pm






Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/lifestyle...l-pinoy-bazaar

Nice but sana they should think about their distribution channels. Kasi kung hanggang sari sari store or bazaar lang sila, no chance to make it big. I hope our entrepreneurs think big.

[amigo32]

puro yabang lang kasi

[xxxriainxxx]

I worked with a small business owner before I left for VN, bihira mahina mag-isip. Medyo matanda na kasi kaya mahirap turuan ng bagong strategy. Just because her strategy used to work before, she thought it will work forever. Last time I heard, her business wasn't doing well. Tigas kasi ng ulo.

[Jrommel]

pwede kaya alisin na yung word na yabang..focus more on the quality of the products..di puro yabang

[swatch69sg]

Hotelier Jennie Chua's New Challenge: Bringing Jollibee Fast Food to Singapore

This story appears in the December 10, 2012 issue of Forbes Asia. Forbes Staff, Contributor

Jennie Chua / Credit: Munshi Ahmed For Forbes

BY JENNIFER SCHULTZ WELLS



As Jennie Chua made her way onstage to take part in a travel industry conference in Bangkok in April, the veteran hotelier insisted clutter on the table be removed so she could have a clear line of sight to everyone in the room, recalls audience member Eric Koh. “She demands your attention,” he says of Chua, who spent the past four decades developing some of Asia’s best-known names in accommodation, becoming as iconic within the hospitality industry as the fabled Raffles Hotel she once helmed. Now the 68-year-old is redirecting her energy to help another iconic Asian brand, Jollibee Foods, find a home in Singapore.

Chua is a 40% shareholder in Beeworks, which in May signed an agreement with Jollibee Foods’ Golden Plate subsidiary to bring the Philippine fast-food giant to Singapore. Beeworks, which Chua cofounded earlier this year with two other veterans of the lifestyle and hospitality industries, will have 40% of the joint venture, to be called Golden Beeworks. Golden Plate will hold the rest of the company, which will have initial funding of $1 million. Chua says a handful of stores are planned, with the first Jollibee outlet scheduled to open in Singapore by early next year.

Complete Article at: http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesas...-to-singapore/

[jpdm]

Originally Posted by Monchhichi

FACE-OFF | Local phone makers slug it out with low-cost Android phones

Long lines and camp-outs have become trademarks of Apple gadget releases in the US and other affluent countries, but in a price-sensitive economy such as the Philippines, low-cost Android phones from local brands are the ones receiving such “royal” treatment from buyers.

In the past several weeks, Filipino mobile phone brands such as MyPhone, Cherry Mobile, and Starmobile have come out with one product release after another, offering gadget-savvy Pinoys looking for the perfect Christmas gift an idea of which new “toy” to give their loved ones–or themselves, for that matter–during the holiday season.

Headlining the stream of new products is Cherry Mobile’s Flare Android smartphone, which already carries the Ice Cream Sandwich version of Google’s mobile operating system on its 4-inch IPS touchscreen display. Flare is powered by a 1.2 GHz dual-core Qualcomm chip, which, going by today’s standards, can already be considered a mid-range processor. It can also support two SIM cards.

Thousands of Filipinos stayed up all night and lined up to be the first ones to own Cherry Mobile’s newest phone, which retails for just P3,999.

But the Flare is just the tip of the iceberg, as Cherry Mobile and other phone brands have already announced upcoming Android phones that deliver quality without breaking the bank.
http://www.interaksyon.com/infotech/...android-phones

Yes!

Originally Posted by Nabartek

Naaasiwa pa rin ako sa "local phone" na made in China

Bakit di ka naasiwa sa American brand Apple I-pad at I-phone made in China?

Originally Posted by amigo32

nagpanggap na Pinoy ang China phone
eww yuck

Kunwari ka pa baka may collection ka na nga myphone, torque, cherry at starmobile

[amigo32]

yuk
Nokia at Samsung lang ang naging phone ko
walang nagpapanggap na Philippine brand - made in Tsina phones eww

hindi ako uto-uto na may tatak Phils o map ng Phils o yellow colored phones with ribbon ay naniniwala na agad

[Landfall]

Raphael Juan

Filipino firm builds world-class trucks and vans




By Julito G. Rada
Posted on Dec. 16, 2012

Raphael Juan, the president of utility vehicle body builder Centro Manufacturing Corp., grew up in a manufacturing environment which nurtured his interest to put up his own company.

“Having grown up in a manufacturing environment, I knew that this would become my destiny and passion for life. I believe that manufacturing is the backbone of an industrializing industry,” Juan tells Manila Standard.

He says manufacturing is the foundation of any strong and sustainable industrial and economic growth. He strongly believes in Filipino talent and technical skills.

“Our engineers, technicians and workers are world-class and I wanted to put up a company that would give our OFWs a viable reason to stay in the country,” he says.

Juan obtained a BS Marketing degree from De La Salle University and a Master’s degree in Entrepreneurship from the Asian Institute of Management. By the time he established Centro, he was the vice president for production operations of MD Juan Enterprises, a manufacturer and exporter of replacement Jeep bodies and parts.

He put up Centro in 1996 in a small leased warehouse in Novaliches, Quezon City.

“We prepared for Centro by doing a feasibility study on the industry, complete with a business environmental scan and competitive analysis. We then formulated a business entry strategy,” he says, adding that Centro initially employed 10 workers and the initial investment was small.

He says during that time, there were only one or two dominant players in the industry. “The others were either backyard or not very aggressive players. We felt that there was a lot of opportunity for a newcomer who can do better what the market leaders were doing and do other things they were not doing. That planted the seed for Centro’s eventual entry into the industry,” he says.

Juan says as passenger cars was the biggest segment of the truck body building industry, Centro initially focused on the passenger van body with an eye to becoming an O&M supplier for Isuzu.

“This happened and Isuzu even helped us set up our plant and production systems. After that, when we had our systems and people in place, we went into customized bodies and later on, truck-mounted equipment,” Juan says.

Asian financial crisis


Ford Ranger service vehicle

Juan considers the Asian financial crisis in 1996 the biggest challenge that Centro had to face during its first years of operations.

“In the years we were putting up Centro, the Asian crisis was under way—this wasn’t exactly the best time to start a business. Car sales were down, interest rates were high, and government liberalized the importation of used trucks,” he says.

He says during those days, for start-up companies like Centro, cash flow was always a problem.

“There were a lot of times when we found it very difficult to finance not only our operations but our projects as well. Our bank credit lines were completely depleted. I had to turn to our suppliers to help tide us over by extending payment terms. To this day, I cannot overemphasize how our financial partners remain integral to the company’s growth,” he says.

But through hard work and his determination to really make it big in the industry, Centro started to aim for expansion after a decade.

“It took all of 10 years for us to be able to say that Centro is no longer a struggling company and was ready for expanded operations. From a small rented warehouse, we then expanded to a rented one-hectare operation. We then purchased a 5,000-square-meter plant in Maguyam, Cavite, that within three phases in three years have grown to a 1.25-hectare operation,” Juan says.

He says the Cavite expansion serves the needs of Centro customers south of Manila. And just recently, Centro purchased a 2.5-hectare property in Marilao, Bulacan that is currently under construction and will start operations by the end of the first quarter of 2013.

“Our two existing plants have a combined rated capacity of about 450 units per month. From these two plants and soon, from a third plant in Marilao, Bulacan, we are and will be fabricating parts and assembling passenger vans, aluminum composite vans, utility vehicles, patrol vehicles, palletized trucks, microbuses, ambulances, mobile libraries, dump trucks, garbage compactors, dropsied bodies and the like. We will also install truck-mounted equipment there,” he says.

Foreign technology



Isuzu NKR emergency pick-up vehicle

Just like other manufacturers, Juan believes in the importance of learning and adopting the latest technology so as not to be left behind by competitors.

“We realized that in order for us to grow our company, we needed to bring in truck-mounted equipment and the corresponding technology to expand our product line,” he says.

He says Centro worked to be the authorized Philippine distributor and service center for Cargotec/Hiab—Europe’s number one brand—–for cranes, hooklifts, garbage compactors, Zeporo taillifts, Watson & Chalin (USA) additional dead axles for added truck capacity, soft ride suspensions and the like.

He also worked passionately to further develop Centro’s manufacturing capability.

“We were lucky enough to be mentored by Japanese consultants who helped us set up our production line, implement programs like 5S, Kaizen, TQM, lean manufacturing, and the like,” he says.

“Subsequently, we introduced a lot of world-class pioneering initiatives in the truck body building industry such as the first ISO 9001 certification in the industry, the first higher-level ISO/TS 16949 certification in the industry, the first after-sales product warranty given and the first after-sales service group formed,” Juan says.

Currently, Centro is the only ISO/TS 16949-certified truck body builder in the Philippines.

He says partnerships with foreign companies don’t stop there. “We are working on more foreign business alliances,” he says.

He says currently, Centro has two set of clients: the Original Equipment Market that includes the nationwide dealerships of Isuzu, Mitsubishi, Hyundai and Foton.

Another is the special projects for customized vehicles. This would include government entities and companies belonging to the top 100 companies in the country.

He says compared to last year, Centro’s total sales for the first nine months of 2012 was better. “It is in fact higher by about 27 percent,” he says.

“There is no peak in sales in terms of months of the year. The peak would be the month or months when major local companies would decide to refleet their commercial, delivery and service vehicles,” he says.

CSR, roadmap, tourism

Juan says a business will not be complete without giving back to the community where it is located.

“We are very thankful for all the blessings given to us so we thought of paying for it forward via meaningful CSR programs,” he says.

Centro was accredited by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority as a learning institute for world-class knowledge in automotive welding, painting and metal working. It has some 200 graduates who are now either small entrepreneurs themselves or gainfully employed here and abroad.

Centro also partnered with Haribon Foundation and Hyundai Asia Resources for an ecology van program to bring environmental awareness closer to the kids through audio and video materials on board a mobile truck library.

“In all our various initiatives, we put most of our limited resources in worthwhile investments in capacity buildup, manufacturing facilities and of course, our number one asset, our people. I am still very much inspired by the thought that someday, a Filipino company can possibly compete globally in the truck body building industry. I want the world to believe in Philippine-made products because my ultimate dream is for Centro to be a world-class Filipino manufacturing company,” he says.

Aside from CSR, Juan says Centro could also be of big help especially for the attainment of the industry roadmap submitted to the government which aimed for increased car manufacturing and eventually exportation.

“It being a well-thought of roadmap, I think it is achievable, provided of course that the incentives provided for are actually extended to the industry players. In our capacity, we can help in three ways: first by providing the truck bodies that the different industries would need, whether standard or customized; second by providing the truck-mounted equipment and accessories the various industries need to make purchasing easier for them, and third, by ensuring that we have the plant capacity, manpower, materials and technology to satisfactorily meet the needs of our customers,” Juan says.

He says that as the tourism industry is expected to continue growing, the transport sector sees a parallel growth and must seize this opportunity.

“We agree with this Campi assessment. We have even seen the DOT report and their plans and indeed, one of their major objectives is to improve “connectivity” by providing convenient transport for tourism application,” Juan says.

“We can take advantage of this by developing a product that would cater to the needs of tourists in terms of convenient passenger and cargo space,” he says.

Good management team

Juan says when Centro was just starting, he saw to it that he was there in every aspect of the business.

“I was the hands-on type. But now that it has grown, I have hired very good managers to whom I delegate most of the tasks,” he says.

“I manage by objectives. At the beginning of the year, I give corporate directives, then the managers set and commit to certain targets, complete with strategic plans and actions plans for the next 12 months. I then make sure through Monthly Performance Reviews that these departmental targets are met by the managers and their staff,” he says.

Juan says passion is what fuels Centro to success.

“We know what we want, we focus on them and are passionate at achieving them. We don’t give up, and we help each other. We invest in people [our number one asset], equipment and plants,” he says.

He says his philosophy in life also helped him find success.

“Find your passion, focus on it and achieve it. Mine is in manufacturing—in operations, systems and processes. Be prepared to be in it for the long haul. Things don’t just happen overnight. Continuously strive for excellence. The learning should never stop,” he says.

And how he unwinds after a tiring day or week at work?

“I am into golf, usually on weekends. It helps me unwind after a long and hard week at the office and at the plant. I also do a little running and gym workout,” he says.

Citations, outlook

Juan’s perseverance and success did not escape the eyes of award-giving bodies.

“We are proud of the fact that as of today, Centro is the first and so far the only ISO/TS 16949-certified truck body builder in the country. [But] the most cherished ones would be the latest: my being chosen as a finalist in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 Awards and then winning the special award for Business Excellence.

He says five or 10 years from now, he sees Centro as one of the major and dominant players not only in the truck body building business but in the truck-mounted equipment business as well.

“By then, we would have about four plants strategically located to be able to better serve the sales and after-sales needs of our customers nationwide. They will all have both stamping and assembling capabilities,” he says.

Source: http://manilastandardtoday.com/2012/...ucks-and-vans/